High Court Declines to Clarify
Sentencing-Guideline Decision

Justices Reject Petition
Based on January Ruling;
Not Chasing 'Squabbles'

By

Jess Bravin Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Updated June 21, 2005 12:01 a.m. ET

The Supreme Court turned down a petition to clarify its January decision that invalidated U.S. mandatory sentencing guidelines, leaving federal circuit courts to make their own rules on the matter. The high court's move means federal inmates in some states will continue to have an easier time challenging their sentences than prisoners in others.

The January decision in U.S. v. Booker limited federal judges in punishing convicted defendants for aggravating factors that weren't proven to a jury or admitted by the defendant....